Authors : K. Okunomo and B.O. Bosah
Abstract: A study on effect of various pretreatment techniques on germination of Acacia senegal was conducted in the Teaching and Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Delta State University, Asaba Campus. These seeds were subjected to pretreatments in water at 60 and 28�C; dilute sulphuric acid (H2S04) and storage in refrigerator at 0�C. Under warm water experiments the following treatments were considered: 5 and 15 min soaking, 20 min and control (No soaking). With regards to cold water experiment, the following treatments were also considered 12, 24, 48 and 72 h soaking in water. While, under dilute H2S04, the seeds were soaked for 5, 15, 20 min and control (no soaking). Lastly, seeds were stored in refrigerator for 48, 120 and 192 h and control (no soaking). The results indicated that dilute H2S04 pretreatment of the seeds for 20 min gave a significantly higher percent germination of 90 than other treatment (p< 0.05), while highest germination of 60% was recorded for seeds soaked in cold water for 48 h. Seeds stored in refrigerator had no significant effect on germination as it gave highest germination of 40% after storing for 192 h. However, no germination was recorded for seeds pretreated with warm water. It is recommended that local farmers should adopt these techniques for a better germination of the species.
K. Okunomo and B.O. Bosah , 2007. Germination Response of Acacia senegal (Linn) Seeds to Various Presowing Treatments in the Nursery. Agricultural Journal, 2: 681-684.